Let’s be honest. There is nothing worse than wandering into the office kitchen and finding the place looks like it has been turned upside down. To make it even more frustrating, it is typically caused by people you work with, and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. This is why office kitchen rules are a necessary evil. They hold everyone accountable and ultimately make sure everyone has an enjoyable and fair use of the office kitchen.
But every office is different, and sometimes things can be forgotten on this list of rules. This is why we have put together our list of non-negotiables when it comes to office kitchen rules. We’ve also included a little guide on how you can successfully enforce these rules, without coming across as pushy or unhelpful.
The Ultimate Office Kitchen Rules
When it comes to office kitchen cleaning and office cleaning in general, we know a thing or two about making sure these spaces remain functional and maintained. The key is to remember that these spaces are designed to be used, and they will be, so dirt and mess are a natural byproduct. Of course, what is not ok is people not treating these shared spaces with respect.
Ground Rules
It is important that everyone follows the same code. When each individual is aware of what is expected of them when they use the office kitchen, they can then be held to account. To start your office kitchen rules, create some ground rules that don’t apply to cleaning, but apply to the way the kitchen is used. Some ground rules may include:
Don’t Take Others’ Food
It should go without saying, but only taking food that is your own, or you have been given permission to take, is a key ground rule. This will save your office endless arguments and animosity.
Regularly Remove Out-of-Date Food
Someone else shouldn’t have to take out your old and out-of-date food because it is causing an odour in the fridge. Stay on top of use-by dates to ensure nothing goes mouldy over the weekend.
Respect Shared Appliances
Remember that the office kitchen appliances are there for everyone. Leave the machine as you would want to find the appliance. If you spill something in the microwave or the coffee machine overflows, just give it a quick wipe down after it’s done. The same goes when it comes to refilling coffee pots. If you finish it, make a new one.
Individual Hygiene and Cleanliness
Hygiene and cleanliness are the most important parts of running an office kitchen. Everyone needs to chip in and take accountability in order to keep it in its best condition. Put simply, clean up after yourself. If you use a chopping board, spoon or knife, make sure you clean it and put it back or place it in the dishwasher (if you have one).
Wipe down surfaces you use, and equally, if the surface is unclean when you get to it, wipe it down all the same. While we recognise that it means someone else isn’t pulling their weight, it helps no one by leaving it. Wipe it down and report it to the appropriate office authority.
Office kitchen cleanliness extends outside of the kitchen. Clutter such as mugs, plates and cutlery building up on desks means others who need to use them can’t. If there are no plates, for example, because they’re building up on someone’s desk, this will cause unrest.
And finally, the biggest pet peeve of those who have worked in an office, don’t leave your washing up in the sink saying you’ll get to it later. You never do, whether it’s intentional or not, and it creates clutter in the kitchen that also makes the sink difficult to use.
Shared Cleaning Responsibilities
The best way to stay on top of the beast that is the office kitchen is to approach it from a team perspective. If everyone is aware of what is expected of them when operating in the kitchen, there should be in theory no issues. But of course, it is never as simple as that.
How to Enforce Office Kitchen Rules
Now, office kitchen rules are a great idea in concept, it is enforcing them that is typically the difficult part. While it isn’t something most are fans of, there are a couple of necessary evils that will help you keep your office kitchen clean.
Cleaning Rota
A cleaning rota is the first thing people think of when they consider their office nightmare. However, they are required to hold everyone accountable. When they know who is supposed to be cleaning on a certain day or is expected to take the bins out, it ensures everyone is on the same page.
Our top tip is to divide the jobs up into smaller tasks and delegate. If someone is expected to clean and manage the whole office kitchen on a specific day, the size of the task may put them off doing it. Instead, they may be more likely to take the bins out if that’s all they have to do.
Office Kitchen Manager
If you choose someone to manage the kitchen, they can help implement the cleaning rota, but also check people are doing their bit. It is important to let their office kitchen manager offer themselves up for the role instead of forcing the role on someone. This ensures they are committed to the task at hand.
Incentivise Good Behaviour
At the end of the day, we do things for the good fortune that comes as a result. If you are more likely to bring in team treats when the kitchen is clean, your team may be more likely to take cleaning more seriously.
Downloadable Office Kitchen Rules PDF
What better way to keep your office kitchen in working order than to have a printable set of rules that you can pin up on the wall? Download our office kitchen rules PDF below.
Assertio Services Office Kitchen Rules PDF.
Alternative: Hire Office Cleaning Experts
If you want to avoid the hassle of setting up a cleaning rota or delegating office kitchen tasks, the best solution is to hire contract cleaners for your office. They will take care of every aspect of the office, including the kitchen and communal areas, so you can spend more time focusing on what really matters to your business. To find out more about how office cleaners could help your business, get in touch.
